R&D Contracts & Commercial Lead

Johnson Controls, Inc.; Dublin; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls, Inc. is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to support the design and construction of a new R&D facility focused on thermal management technologies, including chillers, heat pumps, and advanced HVAC solutions.

This role will establish, manage, and govern all contractual frameworks across the lifecycle of the project from design and construction through commissioning and operational readiness, ensuring commercial protection, risk mitigation and compliance with corporate and

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Contract Manager or Commercial Manager on large-scale capital projects.
• Strong background in construction, engineering or industrial projects ideally within HVAC, thermal systems or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation, drafting and administration.
• Strong knowledge of commercial risk management claims handling and dispute resolution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to operate at senior levels.
• Experience supporting the build of R&D facilities or manufacturing plants.
• Familiarity with thermal management technologies (chillers, heat pumps, HVAC systems).
• Experience working within a multinational organisation and complex matrix environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the contracting strategy for the project, including selection of and adherence to appropriate contract models
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and specialist engineering consultants.
• Ensure alignment with corporate procurement policies, governance frameworks, and legal standards.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks associated with a large-scale capital build project.
• Manage contract performance to ensure cost control, schedule adherence, and quality delivery.
• Lead the resolution of commercial disputes, claims and variations in collaboration with Legal and project leadership.
• Maintain robust change management processes for scope, cost and schedule adjustments.
• Act as a key commercial partner to the Director of Business Development and Engineering leads, providing contract guidance throughout all project phases.
• Monitor contractor performance against KPIs, SLAs and contractual obligations.
• Ensure effective governance of milestones, deliverables and payment mechanisms.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and workstream owners and external partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact for contractual matters with main contractors and key suppliers.
• Support leadership with commercial reporting, insights and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards and internal audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate and auditable contract documentation, RFIs, key meeting minutes, decisions and records.
• Support the implementation of best practices in contract lifecycle management and governance.

Skills

Contract management

Construction management

Negotiation

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering degree

Construction management degree

PMP certification

Job description

Johnson Controls, Inc. is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to support the design and construction of a new R&D facility focused on thermal management technologies, including chillers, heat pumps, and advanced HVAC solutions.

This role will establish, manage, and govern all contractual frameworks across the lifecycle of the project from design and construction through commissioning and operational readiness, ensuring commercial protection, risk mitigation and compliance with corporate and